THE EASTERN QUESTION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLV, Issue 265, 24 December 1903, Page 3

THE EASTERN QUESTION

'JAPANESE AND RUSSIAN FLEETS PREPARING.. WAR RISKS. LONDON, Dec. 22. Mr Bennett Burleigjh, Daily Telegraph correspondent, states that Japan has notified that her licet r*jTiVes all dry docks. A .number of her vessels have already been docked for the purpose of cleaning the bottoms. The Russian ..squadron at Cheinulpho has returned to Port Arthur except one cruiser. The Times says that there is snme 'demand for speculative assurances against risks of declaration o! war within a month. Forty guin- —. cas per cent, was paid this morning. the underwriters to pay the total loss if war broke out within a month. Thirty guineas was accepted during the afternoon. Received 23, 10.51 p4m. LONDON, Dec. 23. The Daily Mail I states that J aptui has taken over Butterfield and Swires' 25 steamers. Japanese warships are reported to be concentrating off Port Arthur. It is understood Japan is asserting her position in Corea, and talcing over the construction of the Seoul-Fusfcaft railway. ALL DEPENDS ON RUSfeIA. FEELING HER WAY. Vlcoimt H&ya&hi, Japanese Minister m London, in the course of an interview, said peace or war was entirely dependent on the nature of Russia's reply. The Times' lVris correspondent says that Kus- ' sfc ia really ieelfng hflr way (in order to discover how much she may demand from Japan with any prospect of success. Advices from St. Petersburg are hopeful of a pacific issue. It lis stated at Odessa that the condition Of the arsenals and stores at Port (Arthur, Dalmey, and Vladivostock Will suffice to conduct a war for a ywtrThq K:ng Alfred 13 conveying to China the new crew for tie battleship Glory, the flagship on the station.

GERMAN OPINION* KecaiveH 23, 11.50 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 23. The Chronicle says that Germain military opinion is that in tiie event of war, unless the allies assist Japnto, she will be defeated, inasmuch as it will ultimately become a land war to be decisive. Much anxiety is felt at Peking. 'Qhinese officials are discussing with the Legations China's best meaas of preserving neutrality.

The Standard states tfaat the Jtapapese minister at Rome declares the situation is not despeibte. Japan sent counter proposals to Russia in the hope of averting rupture. Other advices received stale that Britain.' atod Pramte used their good offices at Toteo and St. Petersburg on behalf of peace.

NEW YORK, Dec. 23. The New York Sim states that s*issm since August has steadily increased in the exigency of her demands, trying to force Japan to go to war. She now lefuses to discuss ■mth America the integrity of China or the ((quality of commercial opportunity, hut urges the sub-division of Corea, in her spheres of influence.

RUSSIAN SYNDICATE. ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 28. 'A Russian syndicate with a capital tof four millions, has been formed to acquire the Chalcis Penfosuk, Izvor, Milie, and' other manes with a .view of strengthening Russia's hoW Mi Mount Atihos. CHINA FAVOURS RUSSIA. ■T r,.. L PEKIN, Dec. 23. v ishma. has seized as Government W property the Kai-ping mines on the V ground that the company claimed tibe right to sell Ching-wang-too, a mnter port between Tientsin and Pekm, to Russia. Beceinwl 24, 0.56 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 23. The company claimed to se»CWn». wtog-too to others, not to Russia. etfc^&^L" 16 St***"* a secret mih-kai to take possession. ChingK^L^ 1 qponed voluntarend Mining elms' Zf T* ° mcers have *«* °rdered to take oaw Ching-wung-too.. undoubtedly mspjrqd by Th ***!*»** to countenance survev„r £°* y m P oß ***** «fthe